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WordPress is super easy to use, and that’s probably the reason why it is considered the best CMS platform. But WordPress errors can make you feel frustrated sometimes. To troubleshoot these errors, you need complete knowledge about the issue and its causes.
One of the most common WordPress errors is 502 Bad Gateway. It can result from multiple reasons; however, you can fix the issue easily once you have found the source of the problem.
Here, we will discuss the different causes of the 502 Bad Gateway WordPress error and how professional WordPress developers fix it. We will also share some tips to avoid this error in the future. So, let’s get started.
Common Causes of WordPress 502 Bad Gateway Error
A 502 Bad Gateway error usually happens when a server can’t handle your request properly and sends back invalid information. But there’s more to it, and understanding the common causes is important for fixing the issue. Let’s take a look at what might be causing this error:
- Server overload or traffic spikes: Sometimes, your server gets overwhelmed with too many requests or a sudden spike in traffic. This can slow things down and prevent the server from responding correctly, leading to the 502 error.
- Origin server issues: If the origin server, where your website data is stored, becomes unresponsive or goes down, it can result in this error. Essentially, your website can’t communicate with the server, so the connection fails.
- Database errors: Problems with the database can also cause this error. If your WordPress site struggles to fetch data from the database, the server might return a 502 error instead of loading the page.
- Issues with reverse proxy server: A reverse proxy server acts as an intermediary between your server and users. If it encounters issues while processing requests, this could result in the 502 Bad Gateway error.
- Corrupt PHP scripts: WordPress runs on PHP, and if any of the scripts within your WordPress files become corrupted, the server might fail to execute them properly, triggering the error.
- CDN problems: If you’re using a CDN (Content Delivery Network) to speed up your site, it could also be the source of the issue. When a CDN has trouble connecting to your server, it can lead to a 502 error.
- DNS issues: Sometimes, problems with your DNS (Domain Name System) settings can cause this error. If the DNS is incorrectly configured or hasn’t been updated, it can block communication between the browser and the server.
Understanding these common causes will help you narrow down the source of the 502 Bad Gateway error and make troubleshooting much easier.
How to Fix the “502 Bad Gateway” in WordPress?
Encountering the “502 Bad Gateway” error on your WordPress site can be frustrating, but there are several solutions you can try to resolve the issue. Here’s a detailed guide to help you fix it step by step.
Try Refreshing the Page
One of the simplest ways to troubleshoot server issues is by refreshing the page. Sometimes, the error is temporary and goes away with a quick refresh. This can happen due to a momentary loss of service from an upstream server, which might resolve itself on the next attempt. Spikes in traffic or connection issues at the target server can also cause this error.
If refreshing the page fixes the problem, the issue likely came from your host and was quickly resolved. Keep refreshing the page periodically as you troubleshoot to check if the error persists.
Clear Browser Cache and Reset DNS
In rare cases, a full browser cache can lead to server errors because it may not be able to receive new data. Although unlikely to cause a 502 Bad Gateway error, clearing your cache quickly rules out this potential issue.
Here’s how to clear the cache in Google Chrome (most browsers follow a similar process):
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
- Select Settings → Security and Privacy → Clear browsing data.
- In the popup, choose “All time” as the time range and check “Cached images and files.”
- Click “Clear data” to free up space for new data.
You may also need to clear your Domain Name System (DNS) in case of an issue with the IP address. To clear your DNS, open the command prompt and enter the following command:
C:/Users/example>
C:/Users/example>ipconfig /flushdns
After clearing your cache and DNS, refresh the page to see if the problem is resolved. If the error persists, proceed to the next solution.
Disable Your Plugins and Theme
If the 502 error occurred after installing a new plugin or theme, it might be caused by poorly coded or incompatible software. A conflict with a plugin or theme could slow down the server or prevent it from communicating properly.
To troubleshoot, deactivate your plugins:
- Go to the WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to “Plugins.”
- Deactivate any new plugins you’ve recently installed.
Alternatively, you can deactivate all plugins to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, reactivate each plugin one by one to identify the one causing the problem.
If you can’t access the WordPress admin dashboard, you can manually deactivate plugins by connecting to your site through File Manager (via your hosting account) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) using a tool like FileZilla. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect to your site with your credentials (you can get this info from your hosting account).
- Navigate to the root folder, usually named “www,” “public,” or “public_html.”
- Open the “wp-content” folder and locate the “plugins” folder.
- Rename the “plugins” folder to something else (e.g., “plugins_old”) to deactivate all plugins.
Now, try refreshing the page. If the issue is resolved, a plugin was likely causing the error. Rename the folder back to “plugins” and deactivate each one to find the faulty plugin.
If the issue isn’t resolved, your plugins aren’t the cause. You can rename the folder back to “plugins” to restore them. You can also follow the same steps for themes by navigating to the “themes” folder in “wp-content.”
Check for Updates
WordPress developers often release updates for plugins and themes to fix bugs, enhance features, and resolve security issues. Keeping your site up to date is essential for avoiding compatibility issues that can trigger errors like the 502 Bad Gateway.
Some plugins and themes only work with specific versions of WordPress, so you’ll want to ensure everything is compatible. To check your current version of WordPress:
- Go to your dashboard and navigate to Home → Updates.
- Run any available updates for WordPress, plugins, or themes.
Keeping everything updated can prevent incompatibility issues that could cause server timeouts and errors.
Turn Off CDN or Firewall
If you’re using a Content Delivery Network (CDN), this could be the source of the error. Since CDNs transmit data through multiple servers, any issue with one of the gateways could trigger a 502 error. Temporarily disabling the CDN can help you rule out this cause.
If you’re using a plugin to manage your CDN, deactivate the plugin as mentioned in the plugin deactivation step. If the CDN has a dedicated dashboard, look for an option to disable it directly.
Similarly, a firewall could cause the 502 error by delaying or blocking requests. Temporarily turn off your firewall to see if that fixes the issue.
Get Support from Your Hosting Provider
If none of the above methods resolve the problem, the issue may lie with your hosting provider. Reach out to them to see if they’re experiencing server issues, outages, or scheduled maintenance that might affect your site.
A server overload or a temporary power outage could cause the 502 Bad Gateway error. If you experience frequent or prolonged issues with your host, it may be time to consider a more reliable hosting provider.
You must choose one of the top WordPress hosting services to reduce errors and downtime of your website.
Use a Site Backup
If all else fails and your hosting provider can’t identify the issue, restoring a backup might be your best option. If the error is resolved after restoring a backup, you’ll need to investigate what changes were made since the last backup to identify the cause.
Check PHP Timeout Issues
Sometimes, the reason for the 502 Bad Gateway error could be PHP timeouts. This happens when a script on your website takes too long to execute, exceeding the time limit set by your server. This can be caused by complex calculations, lengthy database queries, or poorly optimized code.
When a PHP timeout occurs, it can lead to a 502 error. To check for these timeouts, you can enable debug mode on your WordPress site. This mode provides detailed information about any PHP errors, helping you identify the slow scripts that may be causing the problem.
Check WordPress Error Logs
Another helpful way to troubleshoot the 502 Bad Gateway error is by checking your WordPress error logs. These logs can provide insights into what might be going wrong on your site, whether it’s a theme, plugin, or something else entirely.
WordPress keeps logs of errors that occur during its operation. You can enable error logging by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
This will create an error log file in the wp-content folder, which you can access to see if there’s anything specific causing the 502 error. By reviewing this log, you might be able to identify which element of your site—whether it’s a theme, plugin, or script—is causing the issue, helping you take targeted action.
Assess Custom Scripts
If you’ve added custom scripts to your WordPress site, these could also be the cause of the 502 error. Sometimes, custom scripts aren’t optimized properly, which can lead to long loading times or even server overloads.
To fix this, try disabling any custom scripts you’ve added and see if the error is resolved. You can do this by removing or commenting out the script code temporarily. If the error goes away, it’s likely the script was causing the issue. From there, you’ll need to optimize or rewrite the script to prevent future problems.
If the custom scripts are hard to optimize but important at the same time, you can trust our WordPress development services to fix issues.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 502 Bad Gateway error and get your WordPress site back online.
Still stuck on 502 error?
How to Prevent the 502 Status Error in the Future
The 502 Bad Gateway error can disrupt your website’s accessibility, hurting both your search rankings and conversions. The good news is that you can take proactive steps to prevent these errors from happening in the future. Let’s go over a few effective precautions to keep your site running smoothly.
Review Plugins and Themes Before Installing
Whenever you install new plugins or themes, it’s essential to make sure they come from reliable sources. Always check for reviews and ratings to identify any potential issues. Some plugins and themes may only be compatible with certain WordPress versions, so be mindful of this before installing.
It’s also crucial to keep your WordPress core, plugins, and themes up to date. Updates typically include bug fixes and security improvements that help prevent errors like the 502 Bad Gateway. Enabling auto-updates can make this process easier and ensure you’re always running the latest versions.
Consider a Hosting Upgrade
As your website grows and attracts more traffic, you’ll need sufficient hosting resources to handle the increased demand. If your server becomes overloaded, it can lead to timeouts and errors like the 502 Bad Gateway.
To prevent this, consider upgrading to a more advanced hosting plan. This might involve moving to a higher tier of shared hosting or switching to a dedicated server or Virtual Private Server (VPS) that provides more resources.
Use WordPress Error Logs
If the 502 error pops up intermittently and you’re unsure why, your WordPress error logs can provide valuable insights. These logs may reveal patterns, such as errors occurring during peak traffic times, indicating that your server is struggling with high demand.
To access your error logs:
- Connect to your site via FTP or through your hosting account’s File Manager.
- Navigate to the wp-content folder and look for the file – debug.log.
- If this file isn’t there, you may need to enable error logging by updating your wp-config.php file. Once you access the log, you can review any errors that could be causing the 502 issue.
By staying on top of updates, carefully selecting plugins and themes, and ensuring your hosting plan can meet your site’s needs, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering the 502 error in the future.
Additionally, regular backups will give you peace of mind and a quick recovery option if anything goes wrong.
FAQs on Fixing 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a 502 Bad Gateway error on your WordPress site can be frustrating, but as you’ve seen, there are plenty of ways to fix it. Whether it’s something simple like refreshing the page, clearing your cache, or checking for PHP timeouts, these methods can help get your site back up and running.
Taking steps to prevent future errors will save you a lot of headaches down the road. Remember, if you’re ever stuck or the error keeps recurring, don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider for support. With these solutions and precautions in place, you’ll be able to maintain a smooth and reliable WordPress site.
If you’re looking for ongoing maintenance or a more robust solution, partnering with a WordPress development company can ensure your site stays optimized and problem-free. Our team specializes in developing and maintaining WordPress sites so you can focus on growing your business without worrying about technical issues.
